Reds ace Hunter Greene to miss remainder of 2026 and all of 2027 after second Tommy John surgery

Hunter Greene’s run at returning to full health is over for the near term. The Cincinnati Reds announced that their starting pitcher will miss the remainder of the 2026 season and all of the 2027 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery for a second time, according to reporting that referenced the team’s announcement on Thursday.

Greene’s most recent stretch has already been limited. He made just five starts this year while dealing with elbow problems, a setup that has now transitioned into a longer medical timeline. The franchise will now have to plan its rotation and innings management around the reality that Greene will not be available next year either.

Tommy John surgery is commonly associated with long recovery periods for pitchers, and a second procedure typically extends that absence further than many fans expect. In Greene’s case, the Reds’ statement creates a clear calendar window: his rehabilitation will carry into the 2027 season rather than ending after a single offseason.

The situation also places added weight on Cincinnati’s broader pitching development. When a homegrown arm that has been viewed as a top prospect moves into an extended recovery, teams often have to lean on younger starters, adjust bullpen usage, and create more depth at the back end of the rotation to protect workload across the year.

Greene was once regarded as one of the sport’s most heralded pitching prospects, and the loss is felt not only because of what he can do when healthy, but also because he has been a centerpiece of the Reds’ pitching identity in recent seasons. With his next contribution pushed beyond 2026, the Reds will likely prioritize replacing his innings with a mix of internal options and bullpen support while his status remains on the injured list during the 2027 offseason cycle.

For the Reds, the next questions are medical and operational. How the elbow progresses through the early phases of rehabilitation, whether Greene can build toward a controlled return later in the timeline, and how the organization structures rotation roles during his absence will shape Cincinnati’s ability to stay competitive while waiting for him to come back.